Involve, inform, inspire: Reaching researchers through targeted trainingLisa Hawksworth, Faculty Librarian Social Sciences

Penny Street, Faculty Librarian Health & Life Sciences

University of Liverpool

Once upon a time...

University Library

• Researcher training delivered by various groups in the University

• Research students unhappy with training opportunities

• Staff engaged in research need support in the run-up to the REF

• Focussed on information literacy for UG and taught PG

• Library involved in the research process; RAE submission, Research Archive and e-theses

• Desire to engage with the research community

What did we do?• Looked elsewhere!

• Created the Researcher Development Programme Group

• Liverpool University Press ‘Getting your PhD published in the Arts & Humanities’

• So our programme started to grow...

• Advertised via University Announcements/staff and PGR email lists

• Used Excel to record bookings; time consuming

• Collected feedback by emailing attendees individually

• Session ran again a few months later

The story so far...

• Workshops/seminars over lunchtime, sometimes longer

• Different days of the week/locations/internal and external speakers

• ‘Core’ programme of events

• One-0ff events to test new ideas or respond to niche areas

• Ideas from feedback or survey results or just talking to people; ask for suggestions at every opportunity!

• Constantly evolving and developing

The Programme: a flavour

Core One-off

• Depositing your thesis in the University Research Archive

• Increase the impact of your journal articles

• Speed up your web-research: plugins, portals and pinboards

• Advanced Google• Copyright for 1st year PGR

students

• Using SciFinder• Open Educational Resources

researchers seminar• Getting published in the social

sciences• Getting your PhD published in

the Arts & Humanities• Using Digimap for research

So...what is the problem?

Spreading the word...

Researchers need information on:• Searching and referencing• Depositing e-theses/IR/Copyright• Making their work visible/Bibliometrics• Social media and web resources

We know this, but do they?Research Information Network (2006) Researchers and discovery services; Behaviour,

perceptions and needs. London: Research Information Network.http://www.rin.ac.uk/our-work/using-and-accessing-information-resources/researchers-and-

discovery-services-behaviour-perc

Promotion: pitfalls, problems, perils!

• Product packaging: the plan, the process, the pitch, the people

• To perfect promotion, these elements first need to be in place

• To brand – we need a package to promote

Planning

• Timing – what’s needed when• Thinking ahead – the programme calendar• Evolution – building on past experience• The value of feedback – listen to our audience

Process

• How we manage it ▫ other stakeholders

• Avoiding duplication• Practicalities – coping with demand• LibCal• Value added – Research LibGuide supplements

sessions

People

• PGR mix: age, culture, ability, expectations• Generic v customised sessions?• Needs and timing – when to deliver

information?• One size doesn’t fit all – how to deliver?

Pitch

• Content• Speakers▫ external or internal

• Topics▫ core or one off?

Promoting the product

• How do we get the right blend to promote our product?▫ A successful promotional mix uses a balance of tools in a planned and structured way

A happy ending?

The perfect promotional mix?

• Brand: Recognition is key!

• Meet: Word of mouth – meet the people!

• Market: web pages, LibGuides but more!

• Know your audience!

Branding

• Standard document formats• Standard terminology/jargon• Visuals are crucial to a brand• Blog with PGR contributors• Market the benefits of attendance• Supervisor training: can we be part of it?

Research Information Network (2011) The role of research supervisors in information literacy. London: Research Information Network. http://www.rin.ac.uk/our-work/researcher-development-and-skills/information-handling-training-researchers/research-superv

Meeting our audience

• Social aspects are important▫ create opportunities for networking

• Go out to researchers as a ‘road show’ to events already in place

• Welcome event for new researchers: periodically, with refreshments, networking, meet Liaison Librarian

Market

• Champions in department▫ departmental mailing lists/PGR mailing lists

• Quick Start Guide for researchers• Use professional services staff contacts• Use marketing calendar to market researcher

programme• More integration/publicity of modules• Publicise the Research Support LibGuide at

sessions

The story goes on...• We’ve come a long way• Still more to do!• Programme has developed a momentum• Will we crack the branding/marketing issue?